Designing of a nanoscale zerovalent iron@fly ash composite as efficient and sustainable adsorbents for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from water.

The present study encompasses a unique concept involving the formation of core-shell particles with surface-activated fly ash (FA) as core and nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) particles as shell, which not only imparts high adsorption efficiency for Cr(VI) but also contributes to fruitful utilization of FA while overcoming the drawbacks associated with ZVI nanoparticles (aggregation, rapid oxidation and less durability). The otherwise inert surface of FA has been modified and activated to achieve a uniform and stable layer of nZVI over FA. The functionalized particles were studied using FE-SEM/EDAX, HR-TEM, XRD and FT-IR studies for its physical, functional and morphological characteristics.

Surface Engineered Zeolite: An Active Interface for Rapid Adsorption and Degradation of Toxic Contaminants in Water.

Zeolite has been surface modified to form novel multifunctional materials having capability for simultaneous and facile removal of heavy metals [Pb(II)], organic pollutants [methylene blue dye], and microorganisms [E. Coli, S. Aureus, and Pseudomonas] from contaminated water.

Sustained release of complexed DNA from films: Study of bioactivity and intracellular tracking.

Sustained DNA delivery from polymeric films provides a means for localized and prolonged gene therapy. However, in the case of bioactive molecules such as plasmid DNA (pDNA), there are limitations on the achievable release profiles as well as on the maintenance of bioactivity over time. In this report, the authors have investigated the bioactivity of the released DNA (naked and complexed with lipofectamine) from polymeric films using in vitro cell transfection of COS-7 cell lines.

Optimizing partition-controlled drug release from electrospun core-shell fibers.

Controlled release of hydrophilic entities, such as peptides, proteins and even pDNA, is difficult to accomplish with conventional approaches. This work suggests one possible approach for controlled release of such actives using electrospun core-shell fiber structures. In particular, we propose strategies for partition control of the release.